Airports: Heathrow

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 17 March (WA 1), whether the 18-week delay in providing an Answer was due to issues concerning the Official Secrets Acts; whether they will place the contents of the letter to Baroness Valentine in the Library of the House and publish it in the Official Report; and whether they have offered an explanation for the delay or an apology to Baroness Valentine.

Lord West of Spithead: The delay to answering the noble Baroness's Question was not down to issues concerning the Official Secrets Acts. The contents of the letter have been placed in the Library. I apologised to Baroness Valentine for the delay in answering her Question by correspondence on 30 January 2008 and offered a further apology in my letter of 14 March where the substantive reply was provided.

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Financial Assistance

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they provide financial or technical support to any political parties in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and, if so, how much is provided to which parties.

Lord Bach: The Government do not currently provide financial or technical support to any individual political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool and the Global Opportunities Fund we support a variety of projects which aim to assist the transformation of the political culture and to enhance the effectiveness of the state.

Cyprus

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the prospects for a settlement in Cyprus; and whether they support inter-communal negotiations (a) on the basis of the United Nations Annan Plan, or (b) without any specific plan.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The new Greek Cypriot president has made a negotiated solution a priority and there is a renewed sense of optimism in Cyprus that a settlement can be achieved. We share that sense of optimism. We welcome the meeting which will take place on 21 March between President Christofias and Mr Talat in advance of the UN assessment mission's visit to the region. We hope that the meeting will result in an agreement on the way forward, as well as on the implementation of at least one confidence-building measure, namely the opening of the Ledra Street crossing.
	It is not for the UK to be prescriptive about the terms of a settlement, nor on the process for reaching a settlement. However, both leaders have expressed their commitment to the unification of Cyprus based on long-standing principles contained in the 8 July 2006 agreement: bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as laid out in relevant UN Security Council resolutions. As a P5 and EU member, and a guarantor power, the UK will continue to strongly support the UN's efforts to reach a just and lasting settlement of benefit to all Cypriots.

Fluoridation

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With regard to the statement by the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, in the Financial Times on 23 February that "there is absolutely no clinical evidence whatsoever that links fluoridation with anything other than fluorosis. Fluorosis is a discolouration of the teeth, and there are perfectly simple ways to deal with it", (a) what is their assessment of the several potential harms of fluoridation referred to in the report of 2000 of the systematic scientific review which they funded at the University of York (the "York review"), and in the report by the United States National Academy of Sciences in 2006, and of the recommendations by both bodies for research into these potential harms; (b) how they reconcile the statement with the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 30 January (WA 124) which confirmed that a proposal is being considered for a "comprehensive examination of the risks" of fluoridation in addition to its benefits and costs; (c) whether the cosmetic dentistry required to deal with cases of dental fluorosis of aesthetic concern which the York review assessed as affecting one person in eight in artificially fluoridated areas is readily available on the National Health Service.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The York report, which was published in September 2000, found no evidence of any risk to overall health from the fluoridation of water, but did call for more good quality research.
	No subsequent research, including the study published by the United States Academy of Sciences, has identified any effects from water fluoridation at one part per million, other than the protection from tooth decay and dental fluorosis. However, we are not complacent and the department continues both to monitor the outcome of research into theoretical risks from fluoridation and fund studies into its effects.
	Information is not currently available on the number of patients who undergo dental treatment because they are concerned about the aesthetic effect of dental fluorosis, but we are funding a research study on the measurement of fluorosis, which should enable estimates to be made.

Food

Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they are making to mitigate the effect on low-income households in the United Kingdom of anticipated rises in the cost of essential foodstuffs.

Lord Davies of Oldham: In 2008-09, low-income households will benefit from a range of direct tax and benefit measures announced in recent Budgets including increases in the child element of child tax credit and the tax credit income threshold. Low-income pensioner households will benefit from increases in aged personal allowances, pension credit and a one-off payment of £50 to over-60s and £100 to over-80s.
	As a result of all direct tax and benefit measures coming into effect in 2008-09, households in the poorest fifth of the population will be £160 better off on average compared with 2007-08. Households with children in the poorest fifth of the population will be £400 better off on average. Pensioner households will be £145 better off on average.
	Under the Government's monetary policy framework, inflation has remained close to target and the economy has now experienced 62 consecutive quarters of growth. This stability, alongside record levels of employment, has allowed average real incomes to increase for all income groups since 1997 and aggregate real household disposable income to rise by 25 per cent.

Forced Marriage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the guidance given under Section 63Q of the Family Law Act 1996 (as inserted by the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007) will be more robust than that currently issued by the Forced Marriage Unit, especially in relation to education authorities ensuring that publicity is given in schools to the help available for pupils at risk of being forced into a marriage.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The existing guidance for education professionals, issued by the Forced Marriage Unit and the Department for Education and Skills in 2005, says that educational establishments should aim to create an environment where forced marriage is discussed openly. The guidance suggests ways this can be done. We will revise the existing guidance issued by the Forced Marriage Unit in light of the provisions of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007. Guidance relating to education will be subject to a period of public consultation before being issued on a statutory footing in the autumn—which will make more robust the requirement to implement the guidance. In revising the guidance we will aim to clarify further what should be done to raise awareness of the issue of forced marriage with children and young people and to publicise the help available to those at risk.

Forced Marriage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consult about the guidance to be given under Section 63Q of the Family Law Act 1996 (as inserted by the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007) on (a) the effect of the relevant provisions of the Act; and (b) other matters relating to forced marriages.

Lord Malloch-Brown: Some or all of the revised guidance will be subject to a period of public consultation before being issued. The exact details have yet to be decided.

Forced Marriage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to increase the financial and other resources available to the Forced Marriage Unit to give effective protection to the victims or potential victims of forced marriages.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government are fully committed to tackling forced marriage. The Forced Marriage Unit leads this work, and other government departments are also playing a key role in helping develop policy, raising awareness and providing support and advice to victims. The work of the Forced Marriage Unit is continually evolving, hence the resources needed by the unit are kept under review.

Forced Marriage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will review the extent to which the guidance given by the Forced Marriage Unit to healthcare professionals and education authorities is followed in practice.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Forced Marriage Unit, jointly with the relevant government departments, has issued guidance for education professionals, health professionals, social workers and police officers. This guidance is being revised and will be reissued on a statutory footing. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 makes it clear that a person exercising public functions to whom guidance is given under the Act must have regard to it in the exercise of those functions. We would expect bodies that inspect and/or regulate healthcare professionals and education authorities to check that such responsibilities are being met. In the case of education, the Office for Standards in Education already makes a judgment on safeguarding and we would expect compliance with relevant statutory guidance to be considered in reaching that judgment. Should the Forced Marriage Unit become aware of any organisation not following the statutory guidance it will of course raise this with the relevant authority.

Forced Marriage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What financial and staff resources are provided to the Forced Marriage Unit for its work in tackling problems related to forced marriages (a) in the United Kingdom, and (b) overseas; and what resources will be available when the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 comes fully into force.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government are fully committed to tackling forced marriage. The Forced Marriage Unit leads this work, but the response should not be seen just in terms of the work it does. Other government departments play a key role in helping develop policy, raising awareness and providing support and advice to victims. Staff based in our embassies overseas also make a vital contribution to our response. The Forced Marriage Unit has six members of staff, drawn from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office and UKvisas. For the 2007-08 financial year, the unit's non-casework project budget was £167,000. All staff in the unit work on domestic and international aspects of forced marriage. Resource needs are kept under review, but we do not anticipate needing a significant increase in resources as a result of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007.

Guantanamo Bay

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Mr Shaker Al-dur-Raheem is still being held in Guantanamo Bay; and if so, whether they will make representations to free him.

Lord Malloch-Brown: Former UK resident, Mr Shaker Aamer is still being held in Guantanamo Bay. The Government requested in August 2007 that he be released from Guantanamo Bay and returned to the UK. The US has so far declined this request on the basis of significant security concerns that it has about Mr Aamer, and we are no longer in active discussions regarding his transfer to the UK. However, we continue to discuss his welfare with the US. Should the US position change, our request for his release and return stands.

Guantanamo Bay

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What responses they have had from the United States authorities regarding Mr Binyam Mohamed, a former British resident detained in Guantanamo Bay.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The US is not presently inclined to agree to our request for Mr Binyam Mohamed to be returned to the UK, due to significant security concerns that it has expressed in relation to his case. We continue to discuss Mr Mohamed's case with the US, including his health and welfare, and have recently received a formal update on his medical condition which we have passed on to his legal representatives.

Guantanamo Bay

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will intervene on behalf of Mr Ahmed Belbacha, a former British resident detained in Guantanamo Bay, to prevent his being returned to Algeria, where he may be in personal danger.

Lord Malloch-Brown: My right honourable friends the Foreign Secretary and the Home Secretary decided in August 2007 to request the release from Guantanamo Bay and return to the UK of five men who, whilst not UK nationals, were legally resident here prior to their detention. This decision was limited to those with links to the UK as evidenced by their past lawful residence here. This does not include Ahmed Belbacha because, although he was present in the UK for a time, he was not here lawfully.

Health: Alzheimer's

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What funding they provide each year to research into Alzheimer's disease.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The most recent information available is in respect of research into dementia and is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Expenditure on dementia research (£ millions) 
			 Year Department of Health Medical Research Council Total 
			 2001-02 2.9 6.6 9.5 
			 2002-03 1.6 6.6 8.2 
			 2003-04 1.1 7.4 8.5 
			 2004-05 19 6.2 25.2 
			 2005-06 18.3 6 24.3 
		
	
	The departmental figures for the years from 2001-02 to 2003-04 relate to national research programme expenditure. They do not include the part of the research and development allocations made annually at that time to NHS providers and spent on dementia research. That information was not collected prior to 2004-05.
	The national research network on dementia and neurodegenerative disease, funded by the department's National Institute for Health Research, was launched in August 2006. Its first year costs are included in the department's aggregate expenditure figure for 2005-06.

Housing: Stamp Duty

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated net annual cost to the Revenue, assuming no behavioural change, of charging no stamp duty on the first £200,000 of domestic property purchases and (a) 5 per cent, or (b) 6 per cent on the excess over £200,000.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The estimated costs of moving from current tax rates and thresholds for residential transactions in 2008-09, to the tax rates and thresholds in the Question, are given in the table below:
	
		
			 New tax rates and thresholds Estimated Cost of moving to new tax rates and thresholds in 2008-09 (£ billion) 
			 0 per cent to £200,000, 5 per cent on excess over £200,000 2.0 
			 0 per cent to £200,000, 6 per cent on excess over £200,000 1.1 
		
	
	These estimates assume no allowance for behavioural change.

Iran: Interception of US Warships

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made about the attempted interception by Iranian patrol boats of United States warships in international waters through the Straits of Hormuz on 6 January.

Lord Bach: We have made no representations concerning the incident in the Straits of Hormuz on 6 January involving Iranian patrol boats and US warships.

Israel and Palestine: Occupied Territories

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they will take following the Government of Israel's authorisation for 330 houses to be built at Givat Ze'ev on land occupied since 1967.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We are concerned by reports that Israel plans to build in the settlement of Givat Ze'ev. We have raised our concerns about these latest reports with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and stressed that we see this as unhelpful, particularly when Israelis and Palestinians should be focusing on full implementation of their obligations under phase one of the road map, which include freezing all settlement activity, including natural growth.
	As my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has stated, the UK believes that all Israeli settlements anywhere in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. We believe they are a serious impediment to a negotiated two-state solution.

Israel and Palestine: West Bank

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Government of Israel regarding their approval of a resumption of construction of 750 house units in the West Bank settlement of Givat Ze'ev, given the status of the expansion of that settlement under the road map.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We are concerned by reports that Israel plans to build in the settlement of Givat Ze'ev. We have raised our concerns about these latest reports with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and stressed that we see this as unhelpful particularly when Israelis and Palestinians should be focusing on full implementation of their obligations under the road map, which include freezing all settlement activity.
	The UK believes that all Israeli settlements anywhere in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law and they are a serious impediment to a negotiated two-state solution.

Legal Aid

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much has been spent on legal aid in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Legal aid expenditure in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years is set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Year Expenditure in £ millions 
			 2002-03 £45.0 
			 2003-04 £49.9 
			 2004-05 £58.9 
			 2005-06 £57.5 
			 2006-07 £69.0

Northern Ireland: Bill of Rights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What expenses the chairman of the Northern Ireland Bill of Human Rights Forum has incurred since its creation.

Lord Rooker: I am advised that the expenses incurred by Chris Sidoti, chair of the Bill of Rights Forum are as set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Description Costs 
			 Hotels/Overnight Accommodation £6,304.29 
			 Flights £10,829.14 
			 Allowances £1,100.00 
			 Misc. Travel Costs £64.06 
			 Total £18,297.49

Northern Ireland: Bill of Rights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 3 March (WA 159) concerning the post of chair of the Bill of Rights Forum, whether Lord Maginnis of Drumglass and Lord Laird were treated with equality when not appointed to that post.

Lord Rooker: I am not aware of any impact on equality for any particular individual arising from the Bill of Rights Forum appointment process.

Northern Ireland: Bill of Rights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 6 March (WA 189) concerning the Northern Ireland Human Rights Forum and the meaning of the word "significant", who makes the judgment as to a potential adverse impact in relation to any of the categories set out in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998; and how that judgment is made.

Lord Rooker: I refer the noble Lord to my Written Answer of 10 March 2008 (Official Report, col. WA 213). Evidence is gathered through a variety of means, including public consultation where appropriate, and analysed to inform the judgment as to a potential adverse impact on equality.

Northern Rock

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect the report and accounts of Northern Rock to 31 December 2007 to be published.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Northern Rock operates on an arm's-length basis from Government as a commercial entity. It publishes its audited reports and accounts on a regular basis in accordance with statutory reporting requirements.
	The publication of audited reports and accounts for 2007 will take place in due course, exactly when is a matter for the board of Northern Rock.

Northern Rock

Lord De Mauley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have received a certificate from the auditors of Northern Rock plc that Northern Rock has no liability to Granite, or any associated company or entity, or to its bondholders.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Northern Rock's accounts are audited according to generally applicable accounting standards.
	Northern Rock has certain commercial arrangements with Granite, namely wholesale deposit bank accounts, swap agreements and an agreement to provide services. Northern Rock is liable to Granite in respect of these arrangements in the same way as it is liable to any other commercial counterparty. However, it is not liable for any of the bonds issued by Granite and those bonds are not covered by the HMT guarantee arrangements.

Northern Rock

Lord De Mauley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Granite, or any associated company or entity, has any right to make a call on Northern Rock or its proprietors for any asset or any financing from Northern Rock; and, if so, in what circumstances.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Northern Rock is contractually obliged to provide certain services to Granite. Northern Rock also has interest rate swap contracts with Granite, and holds some funds on account for Granite. Northern Rock is liable to Granite for these arrangements in the same way it is liable to any other commercial counterparty. Northern Rock has no liability to make good losses on the Granite bonds, and the bonds are not secured on Northern Rock's assets.

Passports

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In each of the past 10 years, how many British subjects living in Northern Ireland applied for a British citizen's passport; and how many of those were successful.

Lord West of Spithead: This information is not available as passport applicants are not asked what nationality status they wish to have in their passport; this is determined by the Identity and Passport Service and recorded on the personal details page of the passport. The Identity and Passport Service cannot change the status that applicants hold under the British Nationality Act 1981 and British subjects who qualify to become British citizens must apply for registration to the Border and Immigration Agency.

Passports

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In each of the past 10 years, how many (a) British citizen's passports and (b) British subject's passports were issued by the appropriate office in Belfast.

Lord West of Spithead: The Identity and Passport Service does not record statistics distinguishing between the different forms of British nationality recorded in passports. The total numbers of passports issued from the Belfast office over the past 10 complete calendar years are shown in the attached table.
	
		
			 Year Passport Output 
			 1998 356,264 
			 1999 385,696 
			 2000 328,664 
			 2001 216,599 
			 2002 248,479 
			 2003 234,506 
			 2004 296,601 
			 2005 361,099 
			 2006 354,688 
			 2007 380,455

Passports

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many British citizens' passports and British subjects' passports are currently issued and valid.

Lord West of Spithead: The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) does not hold statistics distinguishing between passports issued to British citizens and those issued to British subjects. The information could only be obtained from individual records and the cost would be disproportionate. The total number of passports issued by IPS and currently valid is estimated at 48,080,000 (an exact figure cannot be given because passports lost and stolen may not immediately be replaced). This figure does not include British passports issued outside the UK by Foreign and Commonwealth Office consular posts.

Prime Minister: Official Residences

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps have been taken in the past five years to make the Prime Minister's official residences more environmentally friendly.

Lord Bach: The Downing Street complex forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office estate. I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the honourable member for Fareham (Mr Hoban) on 8 October 2007 (col. 1W).
	Chequers is a private trust and managed by independent trustees. The trustees are committed to making Chequers more environmentally sustainable. They have reduced the ambient temperature within the House, installed low-energy light bulbs, increased thermal insulation in roof spaces and installed secondary glazing.

Prisoners: Length of Sentence

Baroness Quin: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many prisoners who have served longer than their tariff in England and Wales have learning disabilities or learning difficulties.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The No One Knows research report published by the Prison Reform Trust in 2007 suggests that between 20 per cent to 30 per cent of offenders have learning difficulties or learning disabilities.
	However, information on the total numbers of indeterminate sentence prisoners with learning disabilities or learning difficulties and who are held in custody beyond their tariff period is not currently available centrally.
	The information could be collected only at disproportionate cost by examination of a substantial number of individual case records.

Prisons: Buprenorphine

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they intend to take to tackle the increased misuse of buprenorphine in prisons.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Prisons have a comprehensive framework of security measures in place to reduce the supply of all illicit drugs into prisons, including buprenorphine. These measures can be adapted to meet local needs.
	On 13 March my right honourable friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (David Hanson) announced in a Written Ministerial Statement (Official Report, cols. 26-28WS) that mandatory drug testing for buprenorphine would be extended to all prisons from 1 April. In addition, the National Offender Management Service is undertaking a campaign warning prisoners of the dangers involved in the illicit use of buprenorphine and reminding prisoners of the available drug treatment options.
	The Director General of the Prison Service has commissioned David Blakey, a former inspector of constabulary, to conduct a review of the effectiveness of measures to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs into prisons.

Railways: Class 142 Units

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 11 March (WA 220), whether there are any plans to redeploy the class 142 (or similar) units in use in the Exeter area to another franchisee.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The length of time these trains are deployed in the Exeter area is a matter for First Great Western.

Railways: First Great Western

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 13 March (WA 256), for how long the additional trains committed to First Great Western this summer will be likely to remain in service with the franchisee.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: As part of the passenger benefits investment First Great Western agreed to procure additional units so that it could strengthen the Cardiff-Portsmouth services between May 2008 until the summer passenger change date in 2011. It is expected these services will remain strengthened post-2011 and will form part of the high-level output specification dialogue.

Railways: First Great Western

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 13 March (WA 257), whether the 52 additional vehicles are to be used by First Great Western; whether any or all are to come from trains elsewhere; and, if so, where and when.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Discussions are in the early stages with First Great Western on the solution to meet the high-level output specification (HLOS) capacity requirements identified.

Railways: Watford to Brighton

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the implications for the Watford to Brighton train service of Southern Railway's order for 44 new dual-voltage carriages, to be delivered next spring; and whether there will be sufficient numbers of dual-voltage trains to operate both Thameslink and the Watford to Brighton service; and
	Whether there are now sufficient trains to operate the Thameslink and the Watford to Brighton service; and whether they will make a formal public announcement on this point in the near future.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: All newly procured dual-voltage trains will be deployed on the Thameslink route.
	From December 2008, journeys between Brighton and Watford, avoiding the London Underground, will still be possible, albeit with a change of trains at Clapham Junction, as happens in the morning peak today.

Russia: Human Rights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take further steps to seek to persuade the Russian Federation to ratify Protocol No. 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Lord Bach: We regularly raise the issue of Protocol 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights with the Russian authorities and will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity, including through the bilateral and EU/Russia human rights dialogues. The next EU/Russia human rights meeting is scheduled for 17 April.
	Both the UK and Russia agree on the need for reform of the European Court of Human Rights to ensure it functions more effectively. The UK believes that Protocol 14 must be implemented to achieve this goal. We are disappointed that Russia is the only Council of Europe member state not to have ratified the protocol. We, in concert with the majority of Council of Europe member states, the EU presidency and other EU member states have called on Russia to ratify Protocol 14 swiftly.

Supreme Court

Lord Steinberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current estimate of the cost of establishing the new Supreme Court.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My noble friend, Lord Falconer of Thoroton made a Statement to this House on 14 June 2007. The estimated set-up cost of the Supreme Court remains at £56.9 million. However, as is to be expected in a building of this age, some damage to the fabric of the building has been found, which we are investigating. I will make a Statement to the House when the full extent of the damage is known.
	Pending further information, the programme continues to be on target to deliver on time and within the budget.

Taxation: Supermarkets

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take action to ensure that supermarkets do not avoid paying tax in the United Kingdom by re-registering their properties in overseas tax shelters.

Lord Davies of Oldham: HMRC maintains an ongoing dialogue with all large companies about their tax planning activities and where avoidance through artificial structures or artificial schemes is identified, HMRC will take robust action to counter this. Avoidance is unfair on the majority of taxpayers who do pay their fair share, and undermines the funding of public services.